It's been well over 2 years or more since I've been here when I started to have an interest in starting up a salt water aquaria. The goal of one day of starting a SW tank took a backburner in my life and now I'm getting that itch once more. This time my 9 yaear old son came out of the blue and told me he wanted a SW fish tank. I told him they're a lot more involved and more expensive to keep. With that being said, I told him I'll agree to get him a FW tank instead until he gains an understanding and care of fishkeeping. Our goal is hopefully to have one up and running within the next few years when my son is older to understand the responsibilty and involvement in salt water aquarium keeping. I have told my son I will help him in any way in achieving his goal.
excellent, great bonding experience
Right now I have resumed reading and researching everything I need to know about setting up a successful SW tank. Back then, the choice of tank size and fish I wish to house remains roughly just the same and they are:
Tank size: 46 gallon bowfront or 50 gallon tank
Live rock and live sand
Beginner corals - I have yet decided on what they will be - zoos is a definite though.
Sump - Yes
I'm looking to get this set-up I found on Drs Foster and Smith site:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+23752&pcatid=23752
(not sure if I want to go the traditional set-up or refugium set-up as noted for this product.
a refugium gives you a options that are good ones
This is the in sump skimmer I'm looking to get for the above sump set-up item:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+20033&pcatid=20033
Fish stock:
1 pair of Ocelleris Clownfish - tank-bred (1 will be tank-bred B&W Ocelleris Clownfish)
1 Royal Gramma
5 Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish
both can only exist long term as mated pairs, so five is not a good idea
1 Six Line wrasse
very aggressive fish which I do not recommend, consider a possum wrasse instead
The following fish species I found from this site -
http://www.aquacon.com/Damsel_saltwaterfish.html
5 Bluefin Chromis (Neoglyphidodon melas)
chromis will winnow down until there is only one, but in any case, in a smallish tank, numbers like "5" of anything are not good ideas
1 Fiji Devil Damsel (Chrysiptera taupou) - If this is not recommended due to agression issues with planned Bangaii or Pajama Cardinalfish, please let me know.
I do not recomme3nd damsels because of aggressive behavior
Inverts:
2 Scarlet Skunk Shrimp
3 Peppermint Shrimp
Reef Cleaner pack
avoid hermit crabs, focus on snails and shrimp
I do welcome any suggestions/advice on my choices of fish. Again, I have a long ways to go before I'm ready to jump in to Salt Water Aquaria keeping.